Lost Boy John Dau recalls 9/11

Sept. 11 is a day that will forever be remembered by Americans as the day the towers at the World Trade Center fell and the Pentagon was attacked. It is a day that has sadly become part of American history.

That day, though, hasn't just affected Americans. John Dau, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, remembers it all too well.

"Sept. 11, when the United States was attacked, I was two weeks old in America," Dau said at the Skaneateles Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday, the seven year anniversary of 9/11.

When he heard that America had been attacked, Dau said he didn't take it seriously. Then as he began to learn more, one thing went through his mind.

"Now America has been attacked because we are here, the Lost Boys of Sudan."

As a young boy in Africa, he became accustomed to the fear of being under attack. When Dau was 13, his village in southern Sudan was attacked. From there, he and other boys went to Ethiopia, which was also attacked. Then the boys were attacked again when they left Ethiopia for another southern Sudan village. For several years they ran for their lives, only to have the lifestyle of an escapee hurt them as well.

"So many young boys were dying of diseases," Dau said. "There was nothing to drink. We ate mud. Some people would drink human urine."

At the age of 17, Dau was in the United States and was finally given the chance to get an education. It was then that he began learning his ABC's and 123's.

Two weeks after coming to the U.S., the World Trade Center was hit by terrorists.

"I think the Arab's are following where we go," Dau said. "It's a campaign against people who love ... freedom."